Crossing the Creative/Critical Divide

The Path to the Summit

In the last few days before the big day it is good to take stock, to look back at what has achieved over the course of the PhD. This will, on one level, make the final summit more within reach – for one has built up to it throughout one’s research. Each research output creates a foothold, a handgrip, a clipping point. This is perhaps akin to mountaineering, using a belay system of ropes, hoops and harnesses. Knowing one has made this progress is reassuring – this cannot be taken away from you, whether you make the summit or not. And the chances are you will: whether that will be with or without revisions, major or minor, is well, academic. The hard-earned view will be yours.